Not sure if what you’re feeling is normal? This perinatal mental health symptom checker highlights signs you shouldn’t ignore.
Trust yourself, reach out early, and ask for help.
Visit: https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about-maternal-mental-health/perinatal-mental-health-symptom-checker/ to learn more.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
Looking after your mental health doesn’t have to mean big changes. Sometimes it’s the small actions that can make a real difference. 
In partnership with OLIO – Share More, Waste Less, we’re sharing three simple tips for supporting your wellbeing this #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.
Throughout May, Olio users will have the option to donate to the Mental Health Foundation after collecting or sharing an item in the app. Because even sharing what you no longer need, can help make a big difference.
Find out more about Olio at OLIO – Share More, Waste Less or by visiting www.mentalhealth.org.uk/olio
STARTING TOMORROW at SPARTANS
Scotland’s national mental health charity is calling on supporters to put their best foot forward and raise vital funds for life-saving mental health support with the return of an iconic event.
SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) is encouraging people across Scotland to get involved in the revival of SAMH Stomp: a stair-climbing challenge where every penny raised makes a difference.
Returning after a six-year hiatus, the event will see SAMH and its supporters take over Barclays Hampden on Saturday 10 October 2026, which marks World Mental Health Day.
Registrations open today, with participants choosing to complete either a single or double lap of the steps in the stadium, totalling 4,968 stairs – or a whopping 9,936 stairs!
As the last Stomp was held virtually due to the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, this year’s event marks an opportunity to bring together mental health supporters from across the country for a fundraiser full of energy and hope.
Allie Bowen, a SAMH supporter from Dundee who took part in the most recent Stomp, said the sense of community was a key motivator to get involved: “2019 was one of the hardest times in my life, I lost my partner and his mum just a month apart. Taking part in SAMH Stomp helped me turn that grief into something meaningful and showed me I wasn’t alone.
“During lockdown in 2020, being unable to see loved ones was heartbreaking – and it made me realise just how vital mental health support really is. That’s why I’ve continued supporting SAMH, raising around £6,000 in total and helping spread awareness.
“That’s also why people should take part in SAMH Stomp 2026, because every step makes a difference, for yourself and for others who need to know they’re not alone.”
SAMH operates around 70 services in communities across Scotland, from supported accommodation and care-at-home services, to suicide prevention training and employability support.
This includes Time for You, which offers free wellbeing coaching or counselling via phone or video call, and The Nook: Scotland’s first national network of walk-in mental health and wellbeing support hubs.
The first Nook is now open in Glasgow’s Merchant City, with The Nook in Aberdeen to open this summer, with three more to follow across the country.
Hazel McIlwraith, Director of Fundraising and Major Appeal, said: “We want everyone to get behind the return of SAMH Stomp. You don’t need to be an elite athlete to take part – our strength is in our numbers. Every step, every cheer, and every stomp echoes far beyond the stands of Scotland’s most iconic stadium, raising vital funds and awareness for mental health support across the country.
“This is our first big public event since the pandemic, so as well as being a fantastic opportunity to fundraise it’s also a chance for us all to get together to show our support and make our voices heard.
“Gather your friends, family and workmates, or come along as you are, and join Team SAMH as we step up the pace in our mission for a Scotland where anyone can ask once and get help fast.”
Find out more and register at: www.samh.org.uk/stomp
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
Today MHF joined 20+ mental health charities to launch the Head On campaign
Together, we can build a modern mental health system with prevention at its heart.
This starts by giving mental health the political focus it deserves.
It’s time to tackle the mental health crisis Head On.
Find out more at headoncampaign.org.
Megan Boxall is aiming to become the fastest woman to run the entire coastline of Britain and is raising funds for Samaritans, a charity close to her heart.
Megan, who has been running a marathon almost every day since she set off from Suffolk on the 18th October, made it to Edinburgh on Saturday (11th April).
Since arriving in Scotland on the 19th January, Megan has run the length of the West coast of mainland Scotland, and is now on the home straight having run back down the East coast. She aims to have completed the entirety of the challenge by the 18th May, making her the fastest woman to do so.
In taking on this marathon challenge, Megan combines endurance sport with open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. Not only has Megan raised £30,000 for the suicide prevention charity, but she is also spreading a message of resilience and hope, as well as raising awareness of mental health and help-seeking in rural and coastal communities.
In 2024, Megan was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and faced struggles with her mental health. She made five calls to Samaritans that year which helped her through some of her most difficult moments.
Megan spoke about how important it was for her to have the live-saving opportunity to talk to a Samaritan about how she felt. She said: “Every 90 minutes someone dies by suicide in the UK.
“Samaritans is an amazing charity which is helping to prevent that number from becoming much higher. Its volunteers pick up the phone to someone in need once every ten seconds.
“In 2024, I made five calls to the charity (116 123). Their volunteers were there for me when the pain in my brain was so intense I couldn’t pick myself up off the floor.
“I only wish I had picked up the phone to them sooner.”
Megan follows in her late uncle’s footsteps, who walked the route aged 33 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Running 200 marathons in 200 days is no mean feat, and a grueling task even in the brightest of weather. The weather in Scotland can offer little encouragement during the early months of the year, but something which has brightened up each daily marathon for Megan has been the people of Scotland that have cheered her on so far.
Megan said: “I have really had some amazing experiences in Scotland so far. Overall, I have been blown away by the Scottish welcome. It really has been so uplifting and what Run Britain is all about.
“I hope that by talking more about my experiences with Samaritans and raising some money while I circle the country, I can help anyone who might be struggling.”
Running and being in nature alongside her dog, adopted from Dog’s Trust in 2022, helped Megan to find a way to cope and carry on. Megan hopes that her run will help raise awareness of Samaritans for anyone struggling with their mental health, as well as the benefits of spending time in nature enjoying the beauty of the coastline.
Megan’s dog, Shadow, accompanies her on some parts of her journey wearing her PitPat GPS tracker to stay safe and track her miles.
Megan started her 5,240-mile (8,433km) journey at Sizewell Beach in Suffolk on the 18th October, and hopes to finish at the same place in May.
Running groups and clubs are invited to join Megan on sections of her journey and can sign-up here.
You can donate to Megan’s fundraiser through her JustGiving page.
MENTAL HEALTH TIPS from MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
For many of us, the news from around the world feels hard to read right now.
If this includes you, and you need to ease how you’re feeling, we’ve got some tips you can try.
Small things like making time for an activity that lifts your spirits, or finding ways to create a positive impact, can help make a difference.
Almost a third (32%) of bosses report stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health problems as a reason staff give for sickness absence.
A YouGov survey, commissioned by workplace expert Acas, asked employers what the top three reasons employees give for being off sick from work.
Almost two-thirds (62%) said that workers report their absences as being due to minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds and the flu, while nearly a quarter (23%) said that the absences are due to headaches and migraines.
The poll was commissioned ahead of new changes to statutory sick pay that will take effect in a few weeks’ time due to new rules introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025.
From 6 April, workers will be eligible for statutory sick pay for their first day of illness rather than the fourth day and workers will no longer need to earn a minimum amount to be eligible
Acas Head of Inclusivity, Julie Dennis, said: “Our findings reveal that 1 in 3 bosses report mental health problems as a key reason for staff absence. It’s a surprising result alongside the top reason for sickness being coughs, colds, flu and other minor illnesses.
“Bosses need to ensure that their work environments are healthy places to work as well as prepare for the new rules on sick pay that will coming in a few weeks’ time.
“Workers should also look after their own health and wellbeing too. If they are experiencing stress, they should talk to their manager as soon as they can. Acas has good practice advice and training in this area.”
Acas has good practice advice to help bosses manage sickness absence at work:
Providing training for managers on how to support employees through periods of illness can help with absence rates.
Employers that offer flexible working can also help promote a healthy work environment and prevent high levels of sickness absence.
Good mediation services at work can help resolve any issues that is sparking sickness absence among staff.
Easily accessible illness and absence policies will make it clear what’s expected of both employers and workers if someone needs time off work.
Acas has updated its advice on sick pay to reflect the new changes in the law from the Employment Right Act 2025 that will apply from 6 April and how they compare to the current rules: Statutory sick pay – Sick pay – Acas.
Acas also has training courses for employers on managing absence.
This week is #DebtAwarenessWeek
You might wonder – what’s that got to do with mental health?
Well, a lot, actually.
Money’s harder to manage if you have a mental health problem. And being in debt makes it harder to look after your mental health.
That’s why it can feel really difficult to get out of a debt – mental health cycle.
Thankfully, if this is something you recognise, there are organisations out there ready to help you. Check out these organisations or our website for more help and support.
